Manchester United might have to do the same thing again with their midfield in the transfer window

The average age of Manchester United's central midfield is 29-and-a-half and it showed against two early 20-somethings last week.

For the fourth game running, Brighton sensation Moises Caicedo dominated United, the club he seemed destined to join in January 2021. Three days later, West Ham's Declan Rice was the deserved man of the match in another 1-0 United defeat south of the M6.

Rice enquired about United during discussions with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw two years ago and he still sounded curious in a post-match interview. Rice could have his pick of the lot this summer.

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"He was outstanding tonight but we had some really big performers," David Moyes said at his post-match press conference. "No surprise to me, he's got a great talent of regaining the ball. You've seen him play for England and the abilities he uses to recover the ball and get around people, he's great across the ground and very quick.

"I'm very pleased but not surprised (of the interest in Rice). It's why he's probably the best English midfield player around and that's why he'll be extremely expensive if anybody comes calling."

Jude Bellingham is a more complete English midfielder but Rice could command a similar fee. Both are valued in the nine-figure region and both have two years remaining on their contracts.

Erik ten Hag has encouraged United to make a second approach for Bellingham three years after he visited their Carrington training complex but they are a distant third-favourites - at best - behind Real Madrid and Manchester City. A source says Ten Hag has also "not closed the door" on wooing Frenkie de Jong again.

United have not been as hot for Rice since Ole Gunnar